The BMW 850CSi by David Hockney

Through the artist's eyes, we are invited to look inside the machine. It is a see-through idea. We notice the driver's legs, what appear to be factory chimneys, a dachshund and green grass flowing across the bodywork. The whole composition feels spontaneous and playful. I prefer not to overinterpret its meaning. That usually sounds like the work of an art critic trying too hard.

Hockney's own summary of the project was characteristically brief:

"The car has wonderful contours and I followed them," Hockney said. He admitted to playfully "destroying" the exterior surfaces while respecting the original design. The result is an Art Car that celebrates both the machine and the experience of being behind the wheel.

Hockney was a passionate driver who loved exploring the winding roads of California, often accompanied by classical music. That appreciation for driving clearly shaped his interpretation of the BMW 850CSi.

Born in Bradford, England, in 1937, Hockney became one of the most influential artists of the 1960s. After graduating from the Royal College of Art in London, he became a defining figure of the Swinging Sixties before moving to Los Angeles in 1964. He was searching for sunshine, swimming pools and the hot, twisting roads of California. Hard to blame him.

California inspired many of the works that made him famous: palm trees, bright sunlight, swimming pools and endless blue skies. His distinctive take on pop art earned worldwide recognition and placed him alongside Andy Warhol among the most important artists of his generation.

Throughout his career, Hockney remained fascinated by people and their surroundings. Whether painting portraits, experimenting with photography and theatre design, or later embracing digital media, he never stopped looking for new ways to see the world.

As Hockney himself explained:

For Hockney, driving and design were inseparable.